Improvement in striking-movement for clocks



dnitml gte/us5 JOHN-H. LA BAU, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Lette/rs Patent No. 91,753, dated .Tune 22, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN' STRIYKING-MOVEMENT FOR CLOCKS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part' of thesame.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, JOHN H. LA BAU, ofBrooklyn, in the county of K ings, and State ot' New York, have inventeda new and improved Striking-Movement for Clocks; and l do hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description of thesame,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ot'this specification.

My invention consists in a novel striking-movement for clocks, wherebythe time of day is acoustically indicated at as many regular intervalsduring every hour as may be desired, and the hearer may know, by suchindication, theexact time without any know-ledge of the previousstriking, the striking of the hours being repeated with the striking ot'the intervening intervals.

To enable those skilled rr the art to make and use my invention, I willproceed to describe it with reference to the drawings, in which isrepresented that manner I have selected as best suited for carrying outmy invention.

Figure l represents a side view of my improved striking-movement for'clocks;

Figurel 2 represents an edgewise sectional view of the same, takenthrough a line passing Avertically throughits centre;

Figure 3 represents a reversedtview of fig. 1, with intervening plateremoved and Figure 4 represents, in detail, a sectional View of aportion of the movement thereof.

Similar lettcrsof reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

A is a centre spur-wheel, carried upon a. spindle, a, and driven bylaspur-wheel, B, which in turn is driven by a main-spring, B'.

The said centre-wheel A is regulated in its motion by nreansof a trainof gearing, C, terminating in a fan or ily-wheel, OC

Said train C is started and checked by the tripping and falling'of acombination of levers, D, operating upon a notched or mutilated disk,-D, carried upon the spindlev of one of the gearing-wheels ot' the saidtrain, substantially alter the manner of starting and checking ot` thestriking-rnovernent of .the ordinary clock.

Suid tripping of the levers D is produced by means ot' a ratchet, l),carried upon an extended termination, b', ot' the minute-hand spindle ofthe clock.

Upon the outer or near surface ofthe wheel A, near its outer edge, arearranged fixed studs or pins d, having their points driven into thewheel, orattached thereto in any suitable manner, with their outer endsprojecting outwardly from the surface thereof'.

Said pins (Z are arranged upon the wheel in suitable groups, comprisingdiliereut numbers of pins.

The arrangement ofthe pins in the groups is preferably that representedin the drawing, but may be of any arrangement for producing such signalsas are best calculated to impart a correct knowledge of the time ot' dayto the bearer.

These groups, as represented in the drawing, are twelve (l2) in number,but may be of any desirable number for designating the intervalsorsubdivisious of' the hour,- and are equidistantly arranged around thewheel, so that by the rotation ot' the wheel, the

said groups will each, in turn, be brought against or iu contact withthe points of suitably-arranged musicbox reeds f, in such manner as toproduce sounds and combinations ot sounds thereby.

Said reedscoustitute, preferably, six (6) in number, each, varying intone, in regular., order, from one side to the other of the groupthereof', so that the groups of pins tl,v according to theirarrangements, will strike or sound,-in succession, any number of saidreeds correspondingwith'the particular time it is intended to designate,beginning at the deeper tones and ascending to the higher' ones for thefirst half hour, and reversiug the order for the last halthour, but maybe ot' any arrangement for producing such signals as is, best calculatedto-impart a correct knowledge ot' the time of day to the hearer.

Upon the opposite side of the wheel A, and at equal distances apart, isalso arranged a series of fixed pins or strrds, e, corresponding innumber with the number of groups formed by the pins d.

These ins e also have their points driven into the" wheel A, in thesame'manncr as the pins d, or otherwise suitably attached, with theiropposite ends projecting outwardly from the surface of said wheel, sothat said pinsy c, by the rotation of the wheel A, will engage with theupper extremity ot'a vertical lever, g, o fa rock-shaft, G, so as tocause the rockingof the said shaft by the lateral movement and releaseof said lever g, simultaneously with or immediately after the soundingof the reeds f by the pins d, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The-rock-shatt G has one of its extremities t0 pass through the frame,and is supported withina bearing provided in a bracket, H, secured uponthe outside ot' the plate.

Near the outer extremity of the shaft G, and passing transverselythrough it, is a lever, h.

Said lever h is or may be provided with a screwthread, cut upon thatportion which passes through the shaft, for its more eectual retentiontherein., and also to provide for its longitudinal adjustment whendesirable.

Upon the outer portion of the spindle a, outsideof the frame, is carrieda spur-wheel, A.

Said wheel A is constructed, preferably, of a unit'orm size with thewheel A, and is fitted to turn loosely upon said spindle a, and derivesits motion by connection therewith ot a ribbon-spi'iiig, i, while itsmotion is regulated by a train of gearing, I.

Said spring i is connected, by its outer' end, .to the wheel A, auth-byits inner end, to lthe hub of a spiii'- wheel,j, so that the turning ot'said wheel j will cause the tui'niiig oi said wheel A', oi' the windingof Ythe spring 2.

Said wheel j is fitted to turn loosely upon the hub of' the wlieel'A,and is rotated b v a pinion, 7.', projecting through an opening in theplate.

Said pinion k is secured upon the spindle ofa spui'- wheel,j', arrangedupon the opposite side of' the intel'- vening plate, and which gearswith and is driven by a pinion, la', carried upon the spindle a.

The spur-wheelsjj, and their respective pinions k k', are soproportioned that one revolution ot the spindle a will produceone-twelfth part oi a revolution of the wheelj, which will cause thesaine degree ot rotation ot' the wheel A',or a corresponding degree ot'tension ot' the i'ibbon-spi'ing fi, when Ithe wheel A is prevented fromtui'iiing.

Upon the inner or rear surface of this wheel A', and near its outeredge, are arranged, at equal distances apart, twelve (l2) iixed studs orpins o, corresponding with the hours ot' thc day.

Said pins o are di'iveii into the wheel A', or otherwise attachedthereto, in the same manner as pins d and c are attached to the wheel A.

The wheel A is prevented from turning, 4when the spring li is beingwound, by means oi' the engagement ot' said pins o with an inwardly-bentend of a. sliding latch, l.

Said latch l, the formation of which is best understood by reference totig. 4, in the thawing, is carried in a leven/m., ot' suitable form andconstruction therefor, as also illustrated in saine' figure.

Said latch l is susceptible of a longitudinal-sliding movement, in orthrough said'pivoted lever, for a pui'- pose hereinafter explained. A

The lever or ai'ni -m is pivoted upon the outer extremity of the spindlea, immediately in front of' the wheel'A', so that the beutor angularlportion l', of' the -latc-h Z, will clearthe periphery oi' the wheelduring the lil'tiug of the lever or turning ot' the wheel.

Projecting in an outward direction from the outer' extremity of the,said arui oi' vlever in, and passingA through au opening in the bondedportion l' of the sliding latch I, is a fixed stud, n, around which iscoileda' spiral spring, c, and secured thereon by'ni'eaus of a nut, Vn'.v

The inner extremity of this spiral spring c acts against the angularportion l' of the sliding latch I, in such inani'ier as to keep itsinwardly-bent extremity in position for engaging with any one of thepins o.

The ai'm or lever lin is connected with the lever h of the rock-shalt G,hy means otl a coniiecting-rod, p, so that the rocking of said shaft,produced by the ac-A tion ot' the pins c against the verti 'al lever g,causes the raising ofthe outer extremity ot the pivoted ai'in or leveran, which causes, by means ofthe engagement ot' the latch l with someone of the pins o, the backward turning otthe wheel A', said turning ofthe wheel A' being made in a dii'ection contrary to or against theaction ot' the ribbon-spring t, so tha'upon the releaseinent oftheieveing, from contact with the piu e, the said spring i will cai'i'y thewheel A back to its original position, where it ischecked by contact otthe levei'm with any suitable impediment, which may, it' desired, beprovided with a means ot' adjustment for varying the checking-point, asshown by the screw yr, in tig. 1.

Upon thc outer surface ofthe wheel A', and near the edge thereof, ai'eprovided iixed pins s s', arranged in suitable groups, and having theirouter ends projecting outwardly, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

E and F are clock-bells of ordinary tonitruction, one composed ot'bell-metal., or other suitable material, and the other of metal wire.

Said bells E and F are suitably arranged upon the fra-ine, and areprovided with hammers t', pivoted upon a bracket, n, and having suitableprojections, Y V', for engagement therewith of the pins s s', during therotating ot` the wheel A', so that said "rotating .ot' the wheel causesthe sounding ol` said bells.

iV is a vertical lever, pivoted, by means of a screw, iV, to the ripperportion of the bracket H.

Said Yver W is ot' a curvated t'orni at its upper extremity, asrepresented in lig. 1, but'may be of any suitable form l'or ei'ectingthe purpose l'oi' which it is designed, and is provided, near itsLipper' extremity, wit-h a- ],u'ojection or tooth, .Z.

This said lever W has the outer edge oi' its upper termination restingagainst the inner end of the slid` ing latch 1', so that the saidprojection 2, hy means of' the. action of thc spiral spi'ingcagainst thesaid latch, is kept in close proximity to the periphery ot'a disk, 3,carried upon the extremity of' the spindle a., immediately in fi'ont ofthe pivoted Vai'iii or lever m.

The said disk 3 is provided with a projection oi' tooth, 1, which, atevery revolution of the spindle u., acts against. the tooth 2 ot' thelever \V, so as to force back the. said lever, together with the slidinglatch l, thereby releasing the pin o and allowing the wheel A', byaction oi' the ribbon-spring i, to rotate one-twelfth (,iz) of' arevolution, or until checked by the striking ot` the next succeeding pino against the inwardly-bent extremity ot' thelatch l.

'J'.he teeth of' the ratchet b'correspond in number with the number ot'groups formed bythe pins d, which in the drawing are twelve (12,) so asto cause the tripping ot' the levers D twelve times during each rotationof the iniinite-hai'id spindle l), oi' at intervals of everyiiveniinutes, but may be constructed for inter- -vals ot` longerorvshorter duration, it' desirable.

The levers D are lifted by means of the said teeth ofthe ratt'zhet b,whichV sets in motion the wheel A, by means ofthe main-spring B.

The rotation of -said wheel A brings, in succession, the. several groupsof pins d against the ends of the m usic-box reeds f, in such manner as,to produce sounds thereby, in accordance with the number andariangement of the pins in each particular group, each ot' which isdesigned to indicate some one of the twelveintervals or subdivisions ot'the hour.

Simultaneously with said sounding ofthe reeds, the corresponding pin eengages with the upper end ofthe le'ver y, causing its displacement iusuch manner as to produce the rocking ot' the shaft G, which causes thebackward t-ui'ning of.' the outer wheel A' one-twelfth ot' arevohitiomhy means ot levers and connectingg rods, as already described.

rl`his backward movement ot' the wheel Af causes one of the groups ot'pins s oi' s s to pass by the rear projections V V ot' the bell-hammerst t', which, owing to the consti'uctioii ot' the parts, are allowed, iiisaid backward motion, to engage therewith without sounding the bells.

'lhe groups s are intended to engage with the rear project-ions ot' thehammer oi' the bell F dui'ing the t'oi'enoon and first halt' of thenight., and the groups s s" are intended to engage with the rearprojections of the hammers of both bells E and l(` dui'iiig theafternoon and latter' halt' of the night.

Y Immediately alter the sounding of the reeds f, the lever g is releasedii'ointhe pin c, by means ol' the further rotation ot' the. wheel A, andthe wheel A', by the action ol' the ribbon-spring i, assumes itsoriginal position, carrying the group ot' pins s or s s' again by therear projections V V', this time causing the bell E, it` the time to beindicated be. in the lirst halt' of the day or night, to be struck therequired nuinbei' of strokes, and the bell F, in combination with thebell E, it the time to be indicated be the latter halt' of the day ornight, thereby obviating the necessity of striking the full number ofstrokes in indicating the higher hours.

rIhe arrangement ofthe parts is such that the same signals produced bythe bells E, or E and F, are repeated twelve times in every hour, oronce at every interval-indicated or sounded upon the reeds f, by thepassing of the pins d.

When. the minute-hand spindle T1.' has made one revolution, and is aboutstarting ou another hour, a portion of the wheel A, upon which thereis-no pin e, is brought opposite the lever g, so that said lever is n'otmoved during that interval, but instead thereof, the tooth or spur 4,upon the disk 3, is brought against the projection 2 of the pivotedlever W, forcing back the said lever, and with it the latch I, therebyreleasing the pin o from its engagement with the said latch l, andallowing the wheel A, by means of the ribbonspring to rotate one-twelfthof a revolution, or until it is checked bythe hanging of the next pin oupon the latch l, which said latch will have resumed its formerposition, by means ofthe spiral spring, the pivoted level' having beenreleased by the passing by of the tooth '4, and thus a new group of thepins s or s s' is placed in position for indicating or sounding a newhour of the day upon the bells.

The rotation ot' the wheel A causes, by means of the gearing-wheels jj', the winding ot the ribbonspring Ii, the proportion of said gearingAbeing such as towind the said spring to the same degree of tension Bythis means, thc hours and minutes ot' the day y and night may be soindicated by sounds and combinations of sounds as to be ascertained aswell by hearing as by sight, and, by the use of this invention, clocksmay be constructed without dials or bands, the time of day beingascertained entirely by the acoustic indications produced thereby.

By the term bell, as used in this specification, is meant any sonoronsinstrument or apparatus, which, upon being struck, is capable ot'producing sound.

What l claim as my invention, and desire to have secured by LettersPatent, is

1. The combination of the lever m and latch Zwith each other, and withthe pins o of the wheel A, sub- 'stantially as and for the purposeherein set forth.

2. The combination ot' the latch l, lever'VV, and toothed disk 3,substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

3. The ribbon-spring li and gearing j f, in combination with the wheelsA A', for the transmission of motion from the one to the other,substantially as specitied.

VJOHN H. LA BAU. Witnesses A. LE CLERC, A. Kl-NNIER.

